The Plough Vol 01 No 06

The Plough
-E-mail newsletter of the Irish Republican Socialist Party
Number- 6 Date 19th September 2003
1. Loyalist watch
2. Job Losses
3. Price-Waterhouse Coopers Report
4. Dún Laoghaire’s 1913 Lockout Martyr
5. Once more on the Sunday World
6. The War Industry in Northern Ireland
7. On Education In The Republic of Ireland
8. The 1803 rebellion - Republican workers executed in 1803
9. The Speech from the Dock - Robert Emmett.
10. What’s On
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Loyalist Watch.
Sunday14th September. A 200 strong mob of loyalist protesters jeered whistles
threw objects and spat at Catholics attending a blessing of the Graves in
Carnmoney cemetery. This mob of low lifers came from the Rathcoole estate and
later two cars were burned out as the mob rioted. The local parish priest Father
Dan Whyte was informed by the PSNI (Police Service of Northern Ireland)/RUC
that his life was under threat from the Loyalist Action Force. This followed the
daubing of paint on the local Catholic Church and the smashing of Catholic graves
by the loyalists.
On Sunday evening two catholic families were attacked in the Deerpark Road in
North Belfast. A lump of tarmac was thrown through the living room window of one
house and through he bedroom window of another house. In previous weeks the
local UDA had orchestrated attacks on other catholic families in this mixed area.
Monday 15th September
A local Ulster Unionist Party Councillor, Ivan Hunter said of Father Whyte, he
“ has an agenda that we don’t seem to be getting to the bottom of.” –the catholic
church in Carnmoney “made a determined effort to segregate and sectarianise
Carnmoney. –The very fact that he didn’t remove the graffiti on church doors shows he
has an agenda.” Hunter is a member of David Trimble’s Party, which signed up to
the Good Friday Agreement. So much for parity of esteem. David Trimble has
subsequently defended the comments of Hunter
Pipe bombs were found at two catholic schools in Dungiven and Limavady forcing
both schools to be evacuated. Explosives were in both pipe bombs.
Wednesday 17th The Boys Model School received a bomb scare forcing the school to
be evacuated. The Bomb scare was allegedly from the CIRA.
Thursday 18th Loyalists extended their campaign against Catholic schools and six
had bomb scares to contend with. One of those was outside Belfast in Larne where
there has been a sustained campaign by loyalists to drive out Catholics from the
whole town.
Job Losses in Ireland.
640 job losses announced by the US company 3com in Blanchardstown (ROI)
315 job losses by Sneider in Celbridge. (ROI)
30 jobs lost at CCC Technology, in the Spring Bank industrial estate in Poleglass, (NI) as
the parent company in the USA filed for bankruptcy. When it was opened in 1996 it
received approximately £ 1.6 million in state aid. Another company called Europa Tools
based across from CCC Technology closed last year although it had received £3.2
million.
European Committee for the Prevention of Torture
The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture have expressed grave concerns
about the ill treatment of people in Garda custody. Allegations included blows with
batons, kicksand punches to various parts of the body. The allegations had “credibility”
and were backed up by medical evidence although complaints were ignored by judges
When brought to their attention. Most of the recommendations made by the Committee
were also made in 1995 and 1998 but were then ignored. It is likely this also will be
ignored. While a lot of attention has been rightly focussed on the PSNI/RUC it should
never be forgotten just how vicious and corrupt the Garda are. We have only to mention
the ‘Heavy gang’ of the seventies, the goings on in Donegal in the nineties and the petty
harassment of small businesses in Dublin who don’t see the benefit of ‘kitting’ out the
local Gardai.
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Price-Waterhouse Coopers Report
A recent report issues by PwC spells out the reality facing the Northern Ireland economy.
Although the economy is relatively prosperous much of that has been because of massive
increases in Government spending in health, education transport and administration.
Indeed about 60% of the Gross Domestic Product is accounted for by public sector
expenditure. The Northern Ireland economy is more dependent than any other region on
public spending and thus will be very vulnerable to cuts in public spending which are
forecast for after the next election. While shops and warehouses are opening up factories
are closing. There are now less than 100,000 people working in manufacturing which is
the lowest figure ever recorded. Manufacturing now accounts for only 17% of economic
activity in the North. Graduates are now working in jobs that require no degrees and the
growth in call centres parallels a growth in sweatshop conditions.
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Dún Laoghaire’s 1913 Lockout Martyr.
Near the Republican plot in Deansgrange cemetery lie the remains of one of Dún
Laoghaire’s forgotten sons. James Byrne was born and reared at 5 Clarence Street,
Kingstown {Dún Laoghaire} and inspired by the leadership of James Connolly & Jim
Larkin he became an active trade unionist in the ITGWU. By the time of the Great Lock
Out of 1913, Byrne was a thirty eight year old married father of six was Secretary of Bray
& Kingstown {Dún Laoghaire} Trades Council and also the Kingstown {Dún
Laoghaire} ITGWU Branch Secretary. The 1913 Lock Out was the most significant and
tragic era of trade union history ever witnessed in Ireland. The mood and tragedy of that
time is captured brilliantly in James Plunkett’s serial drama Strumpet City currently
showing on Sunday evenings on RTE. Trade Unionists from up to 45 different unions
combined against the might of Dublin Employers, led by William Martin Murphy, owner
of the Irish Independent and director of the United Tramways Company, the principal
source of public transport in the capital at the time. The reason for this confrontation was
simple; the refusal of Murphy and other’s to employ trade union members. James Byrne
was arrested and falsely charged with “intimidation” of a tram-worker on October 20th
1913 by the Dublin Metropolitan Police, and remanded to Mountjoy prison. While there
he embarked on a hunger and thirst strike in protest at the refusal of bail. After a number
of days the British government gave in and Byrne was released on bail awaiting trial.
However due to the conditions prevailing in the jail at the time and helped in no way by
his hunger and thirst strike he caught pneumonia from which he died in Monkstown
Hospital a mere two weeks since first arrested. On the 3rd November 1913 James Byrne
was laid to rest. Up to 3,000 people along with 25 mourning coaches and cabs
accompanied by two trade union bands left Byrnes home at 1pm for the funeral walk. The
procession took two hours to reach Deansgrange due to its size. Many of those attending
had travelled on special trains from Dublin City Centre. It was reported in newspapers at
the time that many houses had their blinds drawn and many shops closed in respect to
Byrne. It was also reported that due to size of the procession the tram service was held up
for nearly an hour, a tragic irony considering why Byrne had been imprisoned. Again,
due to the size of the cortege the funeral oration by James Connolly was delivered from
the roof of a cab. He is quoted as saying
“That their comrade had been murdered as surely as any of the martyrs in the long line
list of those who had suffered for the sacred cause of liberty. The police vultures and
master vultures were not content until they had got Byrne into prison. He had been
thrown into a cold, damp, mouldy cell, but while in prison, so contemptuous had he
been of those who put him there that he had refused food and drink. If their murdered
comrade could send them a message it would be to go on with the fight for the sacred
cause of liberty, even if it brought them hunger, misery, eviction and even death itself,
as it had done Byrne.”
Fast-forward to 1996 and research carried out by Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown Heritage
Society came across the details and burial place of James Byrne, which was believed to
be unmarked. Indeed PádraigYeates the former Irish Times Industrial Correspondent
wrote as much in his excellent analysis of the times in his book Lock-Out Dublin 1913.
On 3rd November that year trade union activists employed in the Dún Laoghaire area laid
a wreath at the spot were James Byrne was buried. In 2002 a joint SIPTU/IMPACT
committee was established with the purpose of erecting a fitting memorial to James
Byrne. The purpose of the formation of the committee was for the erection of a fitting
memorial at the last resting place of James Byrne. It was decide to place a small hand
painted wooden cross at the site while organising for the erection of a more permanent
Headstone. During the course of clearing area of Byrne’s grave, the original headstone
was found nearby under some bramble bushes and although cracked and in bad repair it
belied the believe held by all concerned that Byrne had lain in an unmarked grave.
Accordingly this original headstone was sent off to the Monumental Sculptors for
cleaning and repair and will be incorporated into the new memorial. Interestingly this
original headstone only mentions James Byrne but research has proven that a number of
relatives also lie in this plot. Their details too will be included on the new memorial. The
new memorial will be unveiled by Des Geraghty, President of SIPTU on Saturday 1st
November 2003, the 90th Anniversary of James Byrnes > death. We will assemble at the
gates of Deansgrange cemetery at 2pm and walk the short distance to the burial spot of
one of Dún Laoghaire’s most prominent, but least known sons. Everyone is welcome and
all trade union activists are especially encouraged to attend. (By Jason Mc Lean.)
Once more on the Sunday World
A couple of weeks ago the Sunday World, Northern edition carried a story by Paula
Mackin on the running down and killing of a protestant man in North Queen Street
in North Belfast. The killing was carried out by nationalist hoods.. In the course of
her article Mackin alleged that one of the hoods was a well- known republican with
connections to the INLA. In the immediate aftermath of the killing misinformation
was also deliberately circulated by another republican group that the driver of the
car was an INLA member. The reality is different. Another republican group had
claimed one of the three hoods involved as a member in the past and the INLA in
North Belfast had issued three thousand leaflets in Ardoyne, the Bone, the Oldpark
and Ligoneil areas of North Belfast putting the record straight on the alleged INLA
membership of the hood. No member of the INLA was involved in the running down
of the man.
The War Industry in Northern Ireland
The Northern Ireland Aerospace Consortium (NIAC) consists of Bombardier
Aerospace, Creative Composites, Denroy Plastics Ltd, John Huddleston
Engineering, Langford Lodge Engineering Co.MC Gill Corporation Europe,
Maydown Precision Engineering, Moyola Precision Engineering, N.I. Technology
Centre, Project Design Engineers, Raytheon Systems, Spirent Systems, Springco NI,
Survivtec, Thales Air Defence and TRW Aeronautical Systems.
Raytheon Systems produce some of the software used in Tomahawk missiles which
were fired in Iraq and was welcomed to Derry by Nobel peace prize winners, John
Hume and David Trimble who both signed up to the Good Friday Agreement and
agreed
“Total and absolute commitment to exclusively democratic and peaceful means of
resolving differences on political issues and our opposition to any use or threat of force
by others for any political purpose whether in regard to this agreement or otherwise.”
NIAC has been supported by the N.I Executive when it was operating. Invest NI
which is answerable to the Trade and Enterprise Minister (when the NI. Assembly is
working) actively sponsored NIAC’s participation in the Paris and Farnborough Air
Shows. Encouraging the development of the war industry is not total and absolute
commitment to peaceful means of resolving differences. So the next time we hear
Trimble or Reg Empy talk about breaches of ceasefires etc remember their support
for the war industries.
(Information from “Northern Ireland and the International Arms Trade” by John Barry in “The
New Irelander Autumn 2003 Number 17)
ON EDUCATION IN THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
17th September 2003
There is a scandalous shortage of trained teachers in Primary education in the Republic of
Ireland. For too long the Irish people have endured a situation whereby anyone could
stand in front of a primary classroom.
The Primary Teachers union in the South the INT0 will refuse to work alongside
unqualified personnel in schools beyond September 2005. In an effort to be constructive
in dealing with the teacher shortage the INT0 demanded “greater flexibility in the
delivery of graduate courses including the provision of modular courses through distance
and e learning.” The INTO requested on several occasions in the past two years that the
Department of Education and Science would enter into discussions with the colleges with
a view to establishing post graduate modular courses on teacher education.
No discussions have not taken place in spite of repeated requests for such a meeting by
the colleges of education. The shortage of trained teachers only highlights the
tremendous work undertaken by the existing teaching profession. Irish schools and
teachers are delivering top quality education in spite of inadequate funding, large class
sizes not enough support for the disadvantage, the shortage of trained personnel, and the
poor quality of school buildings
The recent OECD Report which compares education in 45 countries (30 OECD countries
and 15 non-OECD countries) shows that the richer we have become in Ireland the less
proportionally we spend on education. The gap between primary school funding and third
level spending is clear. Ireland spends the same as other countries at third level yet at
primary level it spends half of what Austria Denmark and Sweden spend. Ireland spends
about 11,000 euro per year on each third level student and only 3,000 on each primary
child. Historic under investment in primary schools, a fact acknowledged by the
Department of Education and Science, is one reason why Irish children are being taught
in dilapidated schools. These buildings are clear examples of where the Irish government
falls down in its support for education. But lower expenditure does not mean below
average quality in schools. Ireland along with Australia, Finland, Korea and the United
Kingdom have low or moderate expenditure on education per student at primary level and
yet are among the OECD countries with the highest levels of performance by pupils in
key subject areas. Parents and teachers who fundraise to make up the shortfall are bailing
out the government.
Average class size in Ireland is 24.5. This figure hides the range of class sizes that can be
found in Irish primary schools, which can still contain 30 or more pupils. The average
class size in Ireland is higher than the average across OECD countries where the
comparable figure is 22.0. Lowest average class sizes are found in Luxembourg
(15.5), Iceland (17.3), Italy (18.2) and Norway 19.3.
In addition Ireland is one of the few countries where class size decreases as children
move from primary to second level. In most countries the number of pupils per class
tends to increase as children move from primary to 2nd level in some states by as many
as four students. Only in Ireland, UK, Denmark, Switzerland and Australia do the class
sizes drop.
When all non-class teaching staff is included (administrative principals, learning support
etc.) Irish staffing levels at primary are still well below OECD standards. In Ireland
there are 20 pupils to every teacher while the OECD average is 17. At second level
there are 15 pupils to every teacher compared to an OECD average of 14.5.
At primary level in Ireland pupils receive 915 hours of teaching time per year. This
compares with an OECD average of 747 for 7 - 8 year olds and 813 for 9 - 11 year olds.
The length of the Irish primary school year is one of the longest in the OECD exceeded
only by Australia, Italy and Scotland.
Irish children score well in literacy tests being out scored only by Finnish pupils. They do
less well in Mathematics, coming 15th out of 27 countries. One reason for these scores is
that in primary schools there is learning support for pupils with reading difficulties but
none for children with mathematics difficulties. This needs to be addressed as a matter of
urgency. There are children in university today who have benefited from learning support
in the area of literacy. The same service needs to be available to children with
mathematics difficulties.
(Source INTO)
REPUBLICAN WORKERS EXECUTED IN 1803
Patriot Trade Disposition
Edward Kearney Carpenter Hanged, Thomas St.
Owen Kirwin Tailor Hanged, Thomas St., Sept. 1st 1803
Maxwell Roche Slator Hanged, Thomas St., Sept. 2nd 1803
Denis Lambert Redmond Coal Facer Hanged, Coalquay, Woodquay
John Killeen Carpenter Hanged, Thomas St., Sept. 10th1803
John McCann Shoemaker Hanged at his own doorstep, Thomas
St., Sept. 10th 1803
Felix Rourke Farm Labourer Hanged, Rathcoole, Sept. 10th 1803
Thomas Keenan Carpenter Hanged, Thomas St., Sept. 11th 1803
John Hayes Carpenter Hanged, Thomas St., Sept. 17th 1803
Michael Kelly Carpenter Hanged, Thomas St., Sept. 17th 1803
James Byrne Baker Hanged, Townsend St., Sept. 17th
1803
John Begg Tailor Hanged, Palmerstown, Sept. 17th
1803
Nicholas Tyrrell Factory Worker Hanged, Palmerstown, Sept. 17th
1803
Henry Howley Carpenter Hanged, Kilmainham Jail, Sept. 20th
1803
John McIntoch Carpenter Hanged, Patrick St., Oct. 3rd 1803
These names were taken from a plague located at St. Catherine's Church at the lane off
Thomas Street. The plaque was unveiled by Michael Mullen, General Secretary of the
Irish Transport and General Workers Union on behalf of the Dublin History
Workshop, September 1980.
Our thanks to Jack Hyland, trade union activist, retired shop steward in Dominic Dolan's
in Dublin and member of the Dublin No. 12 Branch of the Irish Transport & General
Workers Union and to Barbara Kelly of the Services, Industrial, Professional and
Technical Union for providing this information.
Robert Emmet, September 29, 1803
[From the Speech on the the eve of his execution
The Speech from the Dock
Extracts from hRobert Emmet's speech on the eve of his execution.
I appeal to the immaculate God--I swear by the throne of heaven, before which I
must shortly appear--by the blood of the murdered patriots who have gone before
me that my conduct has been through all this peril and all my purposes governed
only by the convictions which I have uttered, and by no other view than that of their
cure, and the emancipation of my country from the super inhuman oppression
under which she has so long and too patiently travailed; and that I confidently and
assuredly hope that, wild and chimerical as it may appear, there is still union and
strength in Ireland to accomplish this noble enterprise.-
I am charged with being an emissary of France An emissary of France? And for
what end? It is alleged that I wished to sell the independence of my country? And
for what end? Was this the object of my ambition? And is this the mode by which a
tribunal of justice reconciles contradictions? No, I am no emissary; and my
ambition was to hold a place among the deliverers of my country--not in power, nor
in profit, but in the glory of the achievement!...
Connection with France was indeed intended, but only as far as mutual interest
would sanction or require. Were they to assume any authority inconsistent with the
purest independence. it would be the signal for their destruction: we sought aid, and
we sought it, as we had assurances we should obtain it--as auxiliaries in war and
allies in peace...
I wished to procure for my country the guarantee which Washington procured for
America. To procure an aid, which, by its example, would be as important as its
valor, disciplined. gallant, pregnant with science and experience; which would
perceive the good and polish the rough points of our character. They would come to
us as strangers and leave us as friends, after sharing in our perils and elevating our
destiny. These were my objects--not to receive new taskmasters hilt to expel old
tyrants: these were my views. and these only became Irishmen. It was for these ends
I sought aid from France; because France, even as an enemy could not be more
implacable than the enemy already in the bosom of my country
There are men engaged in this conspiracy, who are not only superior to me but even
to your own conceptions of yourself, my lord; men, before the splendor of whose
genius and virtues, I should bow with respectful deference, and who would think
themselves dishonored to be called your friend--who would not disgrace themselves
by shaking your bloodstained hand--
I do not fear to approach the omnipotent Judge, to answer for the conduct of my
whole life; and am I to be appalled and falsified by a mere remnant of mortality
here? By you. too. who, if it were possible to collect all the innocent blood that you
have shed in your unhallowed ministry, in one great reservoir Your Lordship might
swim in it.-
Let no man dare, when I am dead. to charge me with dishonor; let no man attaint
my memory by believing that I could have engaged in any cause but that of my
country's liberty and independence, or that I could have become the pliant minion
of power in the oppression or the miseries of my countrymen. The proclamation of
the provisional government speaks for our views; no inference can he tortured from
it to countenance barbarity or debasement at home, or subjection. humiliation. or
treachery from abroad; I would not have submitted to a foreign oppressor for the
same reason that I would resist the foreign and domestic oppressor: in the dignity of
freedom I would have fought upon the threshold of my country, and its enemy
should enter only by passing over my lifeless corpse. Am I, who lived but for my
country, and who have subjected myself to the dangers of the jealous and watchful
oppressor, and the bondage of the grave, only to give my countrymen their rights,
and my country her independence, and am I to be loaded with calumny and not
suffered to resent or repel it--no, God forbid!-
I have but a few words more to say. I am going to my cold and silent grave: my lamp
of life is nearly extinguished: my race is run: the grave opens to receive me, and I
sink into its bosom! I have but one request to ask at my departure from this world--
it is the charity of its silence! Let no man write my epitaph: for as no man who
knows my motives dare now vindicate them. Let not prejudice or ignorance asperse
them. Let them and me repose in obscurity and peace, and my tomb remain
uninscribed, until other times, and other men, can do justice to my character; when
my country takes her place among the nations of the earth, then, and not till then,
let my epitaph be written. I have done.
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FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Robert Emmet
A commemoration to mark the 200th Anniversary of the execution of Robert Emmet will
be held in Dublin on Saturday, September 20th next; the procession will assemble at
the Garden of Remembrance in Parnell Square at 1.30 pm and march to St Catherine's
Church in Thomas Street, where those present will be addressed by author Seán Ó
Brádaigh.
(From R.S.F.)
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The 3rd All Ireland Social Forum Gathering
Cooperation not Competition
Human Rights Not Privatisation
Sunday, September 21st
10:30-5:30, followed by evening social events
Crescent Arts Centre, 2-4 University Rd.
Belfast
The NEISF is organising a one-day event under the title 'Cooperation not Competition,
Human Rights not Privatisation'. The event will examine issues of privatisation, neoliberalism,
human rights, peace and democracy. The gathering will also discuss the future
development of the Irish Social Forum and its European and World counterparts. This
event is open to all those involved in the evolving Irish Social Forum networks, all those
who are opposed to neo liberalism, privatisation and global capitalism and all those who
believe that 'another world is possible.'
Agenda
Morning Plenary Discussion: 10.30 - 12.00
Neo-Liberalism - From the local to the global
Communities Against Water Tax (Manus Maguire), Fire brigades Union (Jim Barbour),
ICTU (Alisa Keane), Refugee Rights (Refugee Action Group). Chair (Emily Kawano)
Morning Workshops: 12.15 - 1.45
Workshops on
- Trade justice
- Anti war
- Another world is possible
- Poverty
- Ireland in the global economy
- Consensus facilitation skills
- Ghandi’s
- Open
- Open
- Open
Lunch: 1.45 - 2.45
Food Not Bombs
Lunch will take the form of a public food Not Bombs event at the Venue.
Afternoon Discussion: 3.00 - 5.30
The Future of the ISF
The agenda of this session will not be set until one week before the event. Participants
should feel free to e-mail their suggestions or issues they would like to discuss by
September 15th. Possible elements to the session could be:
- Reports from regional social forums
- Workshops on specific themes such as ISF national structure, priorities etc.
- Open plenary to discuss workshop report backs and decision making on way forward
Social Event: 7.00
Theatre followed by,
World Music Disco, with resident DJ Steve Mc in Crescent Arts Centre
Additional Details
For more information or to suggest topics for workshops or the afternoon ISF
Session contact:
Eoin O'Broin at eoinobroin@hotmail.com
John Barry at j.barry@qub.ac.uk
Emily Kawano at neisf@ntlworld.com
Childcare
If you would like to register for childcare provided on-site, please rsvp to Emily Kawano,
neisf@ntlworld.com or phone 9060 5091. Please provide name and age of each child,
special needs and your contact details. There may be a small fee charged per child
(approx. £3-£5). Spaces are limited, so please reply ASAP.
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BREAKING THE SILENCE: TRUTH AND LIES IN THE WAR ON TERROR
A film by JOHN PILGER
Monday, 22 September on ITV at 10.45pm-John Pilger's latest documentary for Carlton
Television, "Breaking the Silence: Truth and lies in the war on terror". Pilger and his
team filmed in Afghanistan and the United States and acquired previously unseen
material from Iraq. The film investigates George W Bush's "war on terror". In "liberated"
Afghanistan, America has its military base and pipeline access, while the people have the
warlords who are, says one women, "in many ways worse than the Taliban".
In Washington, a series of remarkable interviews includes senior Bush officials and
former intelligence officers. In the week that the Hutton inquiry into the death of the
British scientist Dr David Kelly releases its report, a former senior CIA official tells
Pilger that the whole issue of weapons of mass destruction was "95 per cent charade".
.....................................
from Stephen McCloskey-Co-ordinator-One World Centre for Northern Ireland-4 Lower
Crescent-Belfast
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IRSP General Belfast meeting Tuesday September 23rd September 2003-
09-11
Open to all Party members sympathisers and friends.
Agenda.
The Current Political Situation-the impact of the GFA-Assembly elections -policing
What is Republican Socialism?- our roots-where we are today-where do we want to go?
For more details contact
johnmartinps@eircom.net or ring 028-9032-1024
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International Day of Action Dublin/Belfast Saturday
27TH September march against the War
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The Annual Seamus Costello Anniversary Commemoration will take place on
Sunday 5th of October, Assembly Point Old Town Hall Little Bray. March and
Rally with Band and Colour Party. Main Speaker will be Ex Political Prisoner and
Blanket man, IRSP Ard Comhairle Member, Paul Little.
Seamus Costello Remembered
26th Anniversary Commemoration
Organized By the IRSP Commemoration Committee. Contact and Transport
Details, Contact Daithi on 0877570109 or Dublinirsp@hotmail.com. All Welcome.
"I Owe My allegiance to the Working Class" Seamus Costello
GEORGE MONBIOT
George Monbiot, a regular feature writer in The Guardian, is the author of Captive State
and The Age of Consent. The One World Centre, The New Ireland Group and The de
Borda Institute have organised the following events:
1 GEORGE MONBIOT The 2nd One World Centre annual lecture, 12 noon to 2 p.m.,
Thursday 9th October, Room G07, Peter Frogatt Building, Queen’s University. Everyone
welcome.
Further information available from The One World Centre, 4 Lower Crescent, Belfast
BT7 1NR, Tel 90241879, e-mail stephen@owcni.org.uk
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2 GEORGE MONBIOT “Unionism, Nationalism or Globalisation?” 7.30 for 7.45
p.m. on Thursday 9th October, in The Elmwood Hall, Belfast Tickets £5 (concessions
£2.50), includes a free glass of organic wine from the Belfast Food Co-op.
Tickets and further information available from either The New Ireland Group, 7
Slievedarragh Park, Belfast BT14 8J sec.newirelandgroup@ntlworld.com or The de
Borda Institute, 36 Ballysillan Road, Belfast BT14 7QQ pemerson@deborda.org
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Subject: Talk on Guyana
GUYANA: COMMENTS ON A DIVIDED SOCIETY
Speaker: Michael Mahadeo
Venue: One World Centre (4 Lower Crescent, Belfast - off Botanic Avenue)
Date: Wednesday, 8 October 2003
Time: 7.30pm
Everyone Welcome
.....................................Stephen McCloskey
Co-ordinator
One World Centre for Northern Ireland
4 Lower Crescent
Belfast
BT7 1NR 028 9024 1879
www.owcni.org.uk
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Amnesty International Annual Lecture 2003
Xanana Gusmão,
President of East Timor
Peace, justice and reconciliation
Queen's University Belfast, G06
Thursday 16th October, 7pm
All welcome
Admission free but by ticket only
Supported by QUB Human Rights Centre
To book tickets, tel 028 9064 3000 / email: nireland@amnesty.org.uk
________________________________________________________________________
James Byrne Commemoration Committee >
1st November 2003-09-11 Monument Unveiling & 90th Anniversary
Commemoration
Assemble 2pm Main Entrance Deansgrange Cemetery, Deansgrange, Co. Dublin, Ireland.
The newly-commissioned monument over the grave of Trade Union >Martyr, James
Byrne, District Organiser, ITG&WU, who died on 1st November 1913 following a
hunger & thirst strike during the Great >Lock-Out 1913 will be unveiled by Des
Geraghty, President, SIPTU. All trade unionists, political activists and members of the
Public >welcome!
[No Party Political Banners, please!]
The James Byrne Commemoration Committee has organised the erection of a fitting
memorial over the grave in Deansgrange Cemetery [Co. >Dublin, Ireland] of James
Byrne, a trade union martyr who died on >1st November 1913 as a result of the effects of
a hunger and thirst >strike during imprisonment for his role in the Great Lock-Out of that
year. James was District Organiser of the Irish Transport & >General Workers Union and
held leadership roles in both Bray and >Kingstown [Dún Laoghaire] Trades Councils.
In the course of James Byrne’s funeral oration James Connolly said:
”James Byrne truly died a martyr as any man who ever died for Ireland”
The Committee believes that the monument is a fitting tribute to >James Byrne and hopes
that his grave may become a place of >pilgrimage and source of inspiration for trade
unionists and >socialists in the future. We are particularly pleased that the descendents of
James Byrne are fully supportive of the work of the >Committee.
Jason Mc Lean. PRO- James Byrne Commemoration Committee.
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European Social Forum Paris, St Denis 12-15 November
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